Villafranca Tirrena
| Villafranca Tirrena | |
|---|---|
| Comune | |
| Comune di Villafranca Tirrena | |
 Villafranca Tirrena
|
|
| Coordinates: 38°14′N 15°26′E / 38.233°N 15.433°ECoordinates: 38°14′N 15°26′E / 38.233°N 15.433°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Province of Messina (ME) |
| Frazioni | Serro, Divieto, Castelluccio, Castello, Calvaruso |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.3 km2 (5.5 sq mi) |
| Population (Dec. 2004) | |
| • Total | 8,921 |
| • Density | 620/km2 (1,600/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Villafranchesi (formerly Bausoti) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 98049 |
| Dialing code | 090 |
| Website | Official website |
Villafranca Tirrena is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about 180 kilometres (110 mi) east of Palermo and about 12 kilometres (7 mi) northwest of Messina. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 8,921 and an area of 14.3 square kilometres (5.5 sq mi).
The municipality of Villafranca Tirrena contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Serro, Divieto, Castelluccio, Castello, and Calvaruso.
Villafranca Tirrena borders the following municipalities: Messina, Saponara.
Thanks to its geographical position, to excellent motorway junctions, Villafranca is the ideal place where you can spend your holidays in contact with the nature. In fact it offers a wide artistic and architectonic wealth and the possibility to effect trekking routes on the Peloritani or trips towards other towns of Eastern Sicily: Taormina, Catania, Etna, Siracusa, Eolie Isles, Messina, Tindari and Nebrodi Park. The local territory of Villafranca includes the old feuds of Bauso and Calvaruso. As regards Bauso, some texts affirm that Briosa was the old name of Villafranca during the Norman period and then it was called Bauso or Bavuso.
The first documented records go back to 1271 when the King Charles D'Angiò gave to Pierre Gruyer the feud of Bauso, previously belonged to Enrico Dissinto. During the Aragonese period, the history of Bauso and Calvaruso Joins together and these feuds such as Saint'Andrea, Rocca, Maurojanni and Rapano. Then Bauso and Calvaruso were given by Federico III D'Aragona to Perrone Gioeni together with other feuds. In 1590 under Stefano Cottone's rule a baronial palace was built that still overlooks the centre of Villafranca. Another important figure was Pasquale Bruno who, with his heroic exploits, defended the weak and oppressed and died on scaffold in 1801. The French writer Alexandre Dumas take inspiration from his life for the novel “Pascal Bruno”. Besides the legends, an interesting example of the local folklore is given from the traditional “Bamparizzu”. It is a particular ceremony that is held on 5 December, the day before the solemn procession of Saint Nicholas, patron of Villafranca. ln this occasion some timbers and faggots are piled in the middle of square. After the Mass, the priest goes out of the church with a little procession of children that bring some torches used to light the fire. Great devoutness also attracts the Christ “Ecce Homo” of Calvaruso, place of pilgrimage on Easter Monday.
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Wikipedia